I still have a pair of Gortex walking boots purchased in 1992 for backpacking trips. The waterproofing has gone but otherwise in perfect condition still and I use them for dog walks ( my feet, not the dogs).
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[Misc] Is it me or are shoes SHIT
- Thread starter The Clown of Pevensey Bay
- Start date
AmexRuislip
Retired Spy 🕵️♂️
I've ditched my Cuban heels for a pair of sensible Gola trainers!
Justice
Dangerous Idiot
Women have the shoe longevity sussed wear them once, they then go back in the box for all eternity never to be seen again.
The next event rolls around and of course they can’t possibly wear any of the 90 pairs they already own and need new ones
The next event rolls around and of course they can’t possibly wear any of the 90 pairs they already own and need new ones
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Comrade Sam
Comrade Sam
Pick up Vans when they're on offer at £15-20. Or desert boots for £30-40. My wife occasionally buys me nice shoes, but over 50 years of wearing the above, my heals can't take proper shoes. So after a few hours of grating my flesh they go under the bed. Then a year later on Vinted.
“I’ve had the same shoes for 20 years. They’ve only had three new soles, five new uppers and ten pairs of laces.”
Norman Potting
Well-known member
Just buy mine from Shoezone
A mex eyecan
Well-known member
- Nov 3, 2011
- 4,128
If the £90 you ‘dropped‘ was all £1 coins then it was probably the impact of these hitting the boots that caused the initial damage.
I think you have to be lucky/unlucky with DMs. You hear a lot of people complaining about them but my Chelsea books (made in Thailand) are probably 6 years old now and show no signs of falling apart.
Mr Bridger
Sound of the suburbs
Maybe go up a size next time?
On the subject of boots and shoes, what’s happened to shoe polish? No f**ker cleans their shoes now do they?
Stumpy Tim
Well-known member
A few years ago my wife bought me some very expensive Tod's shoes for Christmas. They lasted six months maximum. Ever since then I've worn Clark's shoes when I've had to. After Covid, smart casual has taken over at work so I've bought a pair of black Paul Smith trainers and I wear them regularly - they last for years. I still own a pair of Clarks for weddings and funerals.
In conclusion, shoes are an absolute con
In conclusion, shoes are an absolute con
- Nov 15, 2006
- 5,706
Try having bunions on arthritic feet, now that IS shit. I used to have fabulous shoes, now it’s a case of finding a pair that are comfortable and that means nice shoes are OUT 
I would love to buy some shoes that aren’t basically Sketchers
My favourite ever shoes were the Cuban heeled winkle pickers I used to wear
I would love to buy some shoes that aren’t basically Sketchers
My favourite ever shoes were the Cuban heeled winkle pickers I used to wear
el punal
Well-known member
No one‘s said it yet so I will. This thread is a load of old cobblers - there, make that last! 
Fignon's Ponytail
Well-known member
Never really been one for proper shoes, I basically live in trainers - but I bought a pair of Rocky cowboy / work boots in Australia earlier this year for a discounted £100, and they are solid. Got a feeling they're going to last longer than I am.
Strewth - can't imagine spending that kind of silly money on boots or shoes. It would be on a par with spending £7.80 for a pint of Guinness at Cheltenham (and I won't be doing that either!) The Toe-tectors that were issued to me when working in a factory in 1981 are still going strong. Most of my other footwear is 5 to 10 years old. I did spend £30 something quid on a pair of shoes last year though - my most expensive ones ever!
BigBod
Well-known member
- Dec 12, 2014
- 393
Being ex military, my daughter always had the cleanest shoes at school. Cleaned at least twice a week with proper kiwi polish and boot brushes I've had since 1981. People always commented on her shoes. She's 18 now and she still gets me to polish her Doc's for her...
My shoes are always immaculate and well polished, current pair of Skechers shoes coming to the end of their life after 10 years. Skechers boots when I'm ridng my bikes, over 10 years old and well battered. Like putting a pair of old slippers on though, they are so comfy..
Skechers trainers most days for work, most comfiest brand I have ever come across...
Superphil
Dismember
Another vote for Cheany here, have a pair I bought in around ‘92, still wear them, still solid, obvs have resoled them a couple of times.
Also try RM Williams boots, very tough, look great and repairable if you manage to wear out the soles (mine still going strong since 2017). Make sure you only get the Made in Australia ones though, they did outsource manufacturing to china a while back, not good for them and I think they’ve scrapped that idea now.
Skechers boots aren’t too bad either, great comfort, I tend to live in mine over winter months, always get a fair few years out of a pair.
Also try RM Williams boots, very tough, look great and repairable if you manage to wear out the soles (mine still going strong since 2017). Make sure you only get the Made in Australia ones though, they did outsource manufacturing to china a while back, not good for them and I think they’ve scrapped that idea now.
Skechers boots aren’t too bad either, great comfort, I tend to live in mine over winter months, always get a fair few years out of a pair.
I still have a pair of DM boots that are closer to 40 than 30 years old. Admittedly they get very little wear these days. My daughter bought a pair of DM boots last year but they were too hurty so I took over the breaking in process for her and now they fit her just fine. My new DM shoes purchased last year are brilliant
On the DM advice / Q&A page I read this:
Q. Can you fix my DM boots? The sole has come away. I have had them for over 20 years.
A. No
PS Worth remembering that DMs expand so when you are trying on, it is likely to be worth getting a half size smaller than you would ordinarily buy. Found the staff in the Brighton DM shop to be most helpful.
On the DM advice / Q&A page I read this:
Q. Can you fix my DM boots? The sole has come away. I have had them for over 20 years.
A. No
PS Worth remembering that DMs expand so when you are trying on, it is likely to be worth getting a half size smaller than you would ordinarily buy. Found the staff in the Brighton DM shop to be most helpful.
